Thursday PDJFund Handicapping Contest: RT picks Churchill Downs, and Garrity, after 2 wins, picks the $80,000 Easy Goer at Belmont Park

Bettors Insider's two horse racing handicapping experts – Chris Garrity (@belmostickey) and RT and SmartCap (@RTsSpot) – have agreed to take part in a weekly handicapping contest throughout June.

For the contest, each handicapper will designate one of his race picks per weekday and two on Saturday and Sunday. Win, place, show betting only. $20 per bet. Weeks run Monday through Sunday.

The 'capper with the most money at the end of each week will have a donation made in his name to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. You can donate to the fund here.

Play along and in future months you may have a chance to beat the pros.

Yesterday

RT bet $10 to win on 1-Vencil and $10 to win on 7-Inspired Options in the 2nd race at Parx. The two horses were inspired to finish fourth and third respectively. Having his Tuesday pick scratched, Garrity put $20 to win on 6-Defibrillator in the 5th race at Parx and $20 to win on 8-Arkaan in the 8th race at Parx. Defibrillator got Garrity's heart started with a WIN and returned $66.00. Arkaan also kaan. It too WON and also returned $66.00. RT is now -$60 and Garrity is now +$72.

RT's Pick

The Pick: Churchill Downs, Race 3, $7 to win, $13 to place on #8 - Foxtail, post time 2:06 pm EDT

Why: #8 Foxtail (7/2) has best overall class, speed and last race. John Sadler is 23% with horses off 2-6 months and this mare has been working lights out. In her last, she hit a 96 Equibase figure against the highest rated par of this group. She is capable of better.

For RT's other picks today, please check out his post here.

Garrity's Pick

The Pick: Belmont Park, Race 8, $20 to win on #3 - Casino Grande, post time 5:04 pm EDT

Why: The play is in the nation’s lone stakes race today, the $80,000 Easy Goer from Belmont Park. It features six 3-year-olds going a mile and a sixteenth on the main track. Casino Grande is a strong play: the Calumet Farm homebred and Christophe Clement trainee is undefeated in two career starts, breaking his maiden in his debut at Tampa Bay Downs in March, and winning an allowance at Gulfstream Park next out. It is his last race that is particularly impressive: he stalked a very hot pace, but not only did he wilt after going so fast early, he won going away. That was a big improvement, and another step forward today, which we expect, means the rest of the field is running for second money. We will put our whole stack on Casino Grande to win at 8/5.

For Garrity's other posts today, please take a gander here.